Holiday festivities continue in Chicago area

It's a fourth of July holiday designed for everyone to show their patriotism outdoors. From parades to festivals in the city and suburbs there are plenty of ways to enjoy what the long holiday weekend has to offer.

A lot of folks are trying to attempt to finish up and enjoy the remainder of the holiday weekend. Revelers are down at the lake front and in the suburbs as well. Summer fun continues in Chicagoland at grant park and the lake front.

"It's a nice place to be in the summer, nice, good weather, couldn't ask for anything better," said Rose Painter.

Those in the suburbs were able to sample the best of what Lombard had to offerat the Taste of Lombard. Local bands serenaded fest-goers who attended the event which is in its twenty-sixth year.

"It's wonderful. We absolutely love it. We love the music, the people, the food. It's a lot of fun to come here," said Jerrilyn Cambron.

Washington Park took on a Caribbean flavor as hundreds flocked to the African Caribbean International Festival of Life. The gathering highlights food, fair and fun with Afro-centric themes.

And many chose to venture to the area's ultimate symbol of summer fun, the Taste of Chicago. Some people at the Taste on Saturday said they were not concerned about their safety, even after at least four people were shot while leaving the fireworks show.

"We were down here on the 3rd as well. We never had any sense of danger. I don't know why that is. Maybe we're in the right place at the right time," said Nancy Dudzinski.

One of those individuals shot, 20-year-old Courtney Thomas, died. Police have a suspect in custody. In the meantime, folks at Taste are enjoying the lake front and Grant Park and doing it under the watchful eye of security.

Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.